Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Theresa Leonard

English 101: College Writing

Dr. Jim Hepworth

23 January 2009

Global Warming: It’s Real

In 1910, Montana’s Glacier Park had 150 glaciers, today, we are down to 27. Temperatures have risen at twice the global average in the Arctic. The ice has been disappearing quickly and with predictions of an ice-free summer in 2040, the wildlife in the Arctic chances of survival are looking about slim to none. And get ready for more, the next fifty years are supposed to increase in frequency and intensity as the sea levels rise. So with all this information available, why are so many people still oblivious to the fact that global warming is real? Obviously what I believe is global warming is happening, and it is a topic I feel strongly about. Too many people either realize it is happening and not giving a care or they just don’t think it could happen. With so many facts out there, it’s a tough subject to just kind of brush off. Just the other day I was discussing it with an older gentleman. He didn’t much care for the factor. One, he didn’t believe it was happening, that it was just another subject put out there for people to worry about. And two, by 2040, he is going to be long gone, so why worry about it? My answer to him, there’s a lot more people than just him in this world. So what causes global warming? Well go to the mirror, and see for yourself. A lot of experts agree that all the factors of global warming point to human beings. Very few believe it wasn’t all because of us. Every day we all release carbon monoxide into the atmosphere way faster than the ocean and plants can absorb it. But don’t think if we all just stopped releasing carbon monoxide global warming would immediately stop. These gases stay in the atmosphere for years. In my opinion, Global warming isn’t all from us. In fact some experts say that natural cycles in Earth’s orbit can alter the planets exposure to the sun. Planet Earth has had warming and cooling cycles which normally occur around every hundred thousand years which was caused by the orbit not being on normal course. But these changes have occurred over the span of centuries, what we are dealing with now is over the past hundred years or less. So what’s going to happen in the next years? A few of the many things, Large-scale food and water shortages are a big one. Growing deserts will cause less food and water; More than a million species are looking at extinction due to such things as their habitat disappearing and acidifying water. And without meat there makes another food shortage.Hurricanes are going to continue to get stronger; heat waves are going to get hotter, and flooding is going to become a very common thing. Now I am not saying stop using all energy and start riding horse-drawn carriages and using candles as a source of light, trust me that would make me very hypocritical as I’ve grown accustomed to being able to flip a switch to get light and just turning a key to get somewhere way faster and more comfortable. What I am saying is people need to be aware of everything that is going on around them. There are many people out there who would love to help but think it involves buying a new Toyota Prius hybrid or installing solar panels for your home. But let me ask you this, how much energy does it really take to bring your trash to the garbage can instead of throwing it on the ground? Or better yet, start recycling. Save cans, earn a little extra money. If you have a flex-fuel vehicle, buy the 85% ethanol gasoline, in many cases it’s cheaper. Carpool to work or school, it saves money and the Earth. Turn off that bathroom light after you are done using it, shut the blinds in the summer, and open them in the winter. Use ceiling fans. If you plan on building or remodeling your home, go with the energy efficient appliances, paint that doesn’t release any toxins, and used recycled products. There are many things we can do to stop this horrible thing, maybe even reverse it.If you haven’t noticed, the last few winters have been longer, summers a lot cooler than they normally get, and we actually see a spring and fall. In the last few years many people have been kicking it into gear and helping our dear mother Earth by making their new vehicle a hybrid, installing those wonderful solar panels, and recycling. Why not? People are not realizing if you buy these things you are actually saving money. When you buy a hybrid, you save gas. And if gas prices ever go back to what they have been, you might need that extra little bit. Solar panels save you money by reducing your electric bill, if not eliminating it. Also the tax breaks on both of these items are extremely well. And with recycling, you save cans, you get a little in return, sounds good to me.Keep in mind, global warming is real, it is going to affect you and your children, and as a parent myself; I would hate to see anything happen to my child. Why not go check out the site http://www.wecansolveit.com, see what you can do to make sure this Earth keeps going round and round for more years to come.